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Memory Care Checklist: Finding a Facility | A Place for Mom

There are ways to narrow your search and find the best fit. Our free assessment can help you find care options that fit your loved one’s needs and budget.

Take cost into consideration. Location, amenities, and level of care provided can all affect the cost of memory care.

It's important to understand memory care services and amenities. By understanding all that memory care has to offer, you can determine which community features are important to your loved one.

Before looking for facilities,
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5 Ways the Elderly Hide Signs of Dementia

Dementia signs may be subtle in the early stages. Your mom may have trouble recalling certain words, or your dad may forget to pay a few bills. It’s possible they don’t even realize they’re showing signs of dementia — or they may not want you to know.

“For so many years, dementia has been a stigma,” says Brenda Gurung, a certified dementia practitioner for the Alzheimer’s Association and a senior national account manager at A Place for Mom. “But specific dementia diagnoses are diseases — they d

Hospice Care at Assisted Living

In many states, terminally ill residents can receive hospice care, or end-of-life care, without leaving their senior living community. In response to seniors’ desires, many assisted living communities embrace an “aging in place” philosophy. This means assisted living and hospice caregivers work as a collaborative team to provide residents with increased levels of care, within limits, in their assisted living community.

“Hospice focuses on the person and not the disease. It makes the patient’s w
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Residential Care Homes for the Elderly

When your senior loved one begins to need regular help with their daily tasks and can no longer live alone safely, it may be time to consider senior living options. We know that this decision is a difficult one for families, but the safety of your loved one may depend on getting the proper care. Residential care homes are a great place to begin your search, especially if their needs require full-time supervision.

Residential care homes are intended for seniors who would benefit from full-time a
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7 Best Innovative Products for the Elderly

In our high-tech society, it’s no surprise that tech products for seniors have become more popular. From assistance with day-to-day life to managing sleep or medication, there are many options to make life easier for the elderly.

“When designed for the needs and interests of seniors, technology has the ability to empower, instill confidence, and help them stay engaged and active with the things and people they love,” says Julie Ament Gran, chief growth officer at GrandPad, a company known for t

Best Dogs for Senior Citizens

Dogs can bring companionship, health benefits, and a little extra joy to seniors and retirees. Whether your loved one is at home or in an assisted living community, a furry friend can lower stress, prevent loneliness, provide purpose and routine, and lead to better heart health by encouraging them to exercise.

Many factors influence which dog breed is best for senior citizens. Just like people, dogs vary greatly in personality, size, exercise needs, and general care requirements. Finding a four
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How A Senior Care Plan Helps Manage Care

Families moving a loved one into a senior living community for the first time can be filled with worry and uncertainty about trusting new caregivers, says Kathleen Leonard, a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom and former director of an independent living community. “It can be an overwhelming process,” she says.

How can you ensure your loved one is well cared for? A senior care plan is instrumental, followed by involvement with the community and good communication, Leonard says.

A senior
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5 Ways the Elderly Hide Signs of Dementia

Dementia signs may be subtle in the early stages. Your mom may have trouble recalling certain words, or your dad may forget to pay a few bills. It’s possible they don’t even realize they’re showing signs of dementia — or they may not want you to know.

“For so many years, dementia has been a stigma,” says Brenda Gurung, a certified dementia practitioner for the Alzheimer’s Association and a senior national account manager at A Place for Mom. “But specific dementia diagnoses are diseases — they d
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50+ Top Assisted Living Activities

People have the same basic needs at any age: to explore, have fun, learn, and live life to the fullest. Activities for assisted living residents do much more than just pass the time. They help seniors lead healthier, happier lives.

Activities for seniors in assisted living suit all interests and lifestyles

Assisted living communities offer a variety of activities to suit residents’ varying abilities and interests. Here are some of the top ways assisted living communities help seniors stay acti
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When to Take the Car Keys From Elderly Drivers

Driving a car may feel like second nature, but aging may affect your reflexes, eyesight, cognition, and overall safety at the wheel. Elderly drivers 80 and older also have the highest rates of automobile deaths, according to AAA.

Determining whether to take the keys away from elderly parents can be an emotional process — but there are ways to make it easier. By having conversations and detecting the warning signs now, you can better protect your mom and dad, as well as others on the road.

Disc
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A Guide to Pet-Friendly Assisted Living

More than half of older adults age 50 to 80 have a pet, according to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. That’s not surprising considering furry friends provide love, companionship, and a sense of purpose and responsibility. In addition to warm and fuzzy feelings, pets help reduce stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, research suggests.

In a nod to the ever-growing popularity of pets and their benefits to senior health and wellness, many senior living communities nationw
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How to Pay for Assisted Living: Surprising Options and 7 Tips

Your aging loved one is ready for a social, engaging lifestyle with activities, amenities, and meals. But they need help with some daily activities as well. Assisted living can offer support while encouraging your relative to maintain independence and enjoy retirement.

The national median cost of assisted living is $4,300 a month, according to Genworth’s 2020 cost of care survey. Many families are surprised and disappointed to learn it’s not covered by Medicare, and may not have that money in t
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Understanding Independent Senior Living Costs

Independent living, sometimes called active adult communities or retirement homes, typically refers to communities for active seniors age 55 and older. These retirement communities offer a spectrum of activities, and vary in style, services, and — you guessed it — cost.

Although senior living prices differ quite drastically around the U.S., independent living typically costs less than assisted living.

Learn about the average cost of independent living in the U.S., typical charges, and the most
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How to Pay for a Nursing Home

Your loved one is at a point in their life when they need help with day-to-day activities and functions, and you want to secure the best possible care to support their health and well-being.

Nursing homes — sometimes called skilled nursing facilities or convalescent homes — are one senior care option to explore. Nursing homes offer the highest level of care to adults who have chronic, debilitating physical or mental health conditions and require round-the-clock supervision. They provide more sp
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How to Talk to Someone With Dementia

It can be painful to witness the deterioration of a loved one with or any other type of dementia. Fortunately, there are many kinds of Alzheimer’s communication strategiesthat can help you maintain and build your bond with a loved one.

“Alzheimer’s and other dementias are difficult disease journeys, but there is so much opportunity for connection and success together,” says Brenda Gurung, a certified dementia practitioner for the Alzheimer’s Association and a senior national account manager at
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Ways to Pay for Home Care

Older adults who prefer to live in their home but need extra help with daily living often gravitate to home care. From assisting with day-to-day tasks like cooking and running errands, to helping with personal care like dressing and bathing, this type of care can relieve stress while providing safety and companionship.

But for some families, determining how to pay for home care is stressful itself. However, there are several little-known funding sources, including VA programs, reverse mortgages
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Family Mediation: Is It Time for a Pro?

It’s the sort of thing that can ruin a family — heated arguments that turn into life-long grudges.

You’ve probably heard stories of siblings arguing about what’s best for their parent — who should provide care, help out financially, find senior living options, and other scenarios. Regardless of the dispute over elderly parents, sometimes it takes conflict mediation services to resolve the problem.

Acting as neutral guides, professional mediators lead meaningful discussions, mitigate high tensi
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Understanding Sundowners Syndrome

For many elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, sunset can be a time of increased memory loss, confusion, agitation, and even anger. This behavioral shift is called sundown syndrome, otherwise known as sundowners syndrome, or sundowning. Doctors aren’t sure what causes sundown syndrome, but there are certain triggers to avoid and ways to manage symptoms.

Sundown syndrome is a term used to describe a range of unusual behaviors — often including agitation,
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Social Media Experience

Social media is a powerful communication tool. I have enjoyed every minute of my six year journey with social media, and have managed the accounts for national companies like Aging Care, Sertoma Inc., Hearing Charities of America, and the National Hearing Aid Project. I have written, planned, and designed content posts for major platforms like: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.